The Gaza Strip has witnessed a significant escalation in violence, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 95 Palestinians in a single day. The attacks targeted various locations, including a seaside cafe in Gaza City, a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, food distribution sites, and a hospital.
The Israeli military acknowledged that Palestinian civilians were harmed at aid distribution centers, stating that instructions had been issued to forces following “lessons learned,” and firing incidents were under review.
This development comes amid reports from the Israeli news outlet Haaretz that soldiers operating near aid sites in Gaza have been deliberately firing on Palestinians, with troops told to use unnecessary lethal force against people who appeared to pose no threat.
Witnesses described the scene at the Al-Baqa cafeteria as “people torn apart,” with 39 fatalities, including journalist Ismail Abu Hatab, women, and children. “This place wasn’t affiliated with anyone – no politics and no military association whatsoever. It was packed with people, including children for a birthday party,” said Yahya Sharif, a witness. Reports from Gaza City indicated that the attack occurred “without any warning,” leaving bloodstains everywhere due to the intensity of the explosion.
In another incident, Israeli forces bombed the Yafa school in Gaza City, which was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians. Hamada Abu Jaradeh, who fled before the attack, said displaced Palestinians received a five-minute threat to evacuate, adding, “We don’t know what to do and where to go. We have been let down by the entire world for more than 630 days. Death is with us and around us every day.”
The Israeli military also attacked the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah, where thousands of families had sought shelter. Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that the army did not issue “any warnings” before the “huge explosion.” Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the attack, calling it a “systematic crime” against the Palestinian enclave’s health system.
The attacks have raised concerns about a potential new ground invasion, with Israeli forces carrying out home demolitions in Khan Younis and issuing forced evacuation threats to Palestinians in northern Gaza. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of Gaza is now an Israeli-militarized zone or under forced displacement threats.
As the conflict continues, efforts for a ceasefire persist. Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed Al Ansari said, “The main obstacle over here is that both parties aren’t coming back to the table. But as I have said, there’s a momentum that’s been created by the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.” Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated, “We are determined to seek a ceasefire that will save our people, and we are working with mediators to open the crossings.”
The situation on the ground remains dire, with Salah, a 60-year-old father of five from Gaza City, saying, “Explosions never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes. In the news, we hear a ceasefire is near. On the ground, we see death and we hear explosions”.